It has become easy to recognize Rene Vinson's work. Since 2025, the Colorado Springs artist has created between 30 and 40 vibrant portraits of well-known and Colorado-based drag queens."My kids had encouraged me to get out of my studio and get back into the gallery scene," Vinson explained. "Pride Month came up and they approached me and said 'Mom, what would you think about painting a drag queen?' And I said I think that's a great idea because we'd been watchingRuPaul's Drag Raceforever."Vinson says after decades of painting "safer" subjects like landscapes and human figures, she did not know what to expect. However, her work quickly garnered positive attention especially on social media.This is kind of cool," Vinson said. "Its a tight community and theyve accepted me.Vinson is no stranger to her work going viral on social media. One of her most popular videos on TikTok caught the attention of more than two million people. It showcased a portrait of Trixie Mattel, a winner ofRuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.If theyre particularly clever with their outfits, then Im more drawn to them," Vinson said. "I have to formulate it in my mind and I have to look at who they are as a person, otherwise, it's just empty. I want to show some spirit."Over the last year, painting drag queens has kept Vinson creative, but her purpose is bigger than the art itself."This is a community that really needs our support," Vinson said. "I want to support them because I can and I feel, as a mom, I understand what it's like to be a kid and go through what they've gone through. Plus, they deserve it. They're some of the coolest people I've ever met in my entire life."Vinson says a percentage of earnings from her portraits benefit The Trevor Project, a non-profit suicide prevention and advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ youth."Its something you and I can do easily, certain people can do easily, and we should," Vinson said. "We all deserve to be exactly who we are.Vinson's work is consistently shown at True North Art Gallery and The Look Up Gallery in Colorado Springs. Ahead of Pikes Peak Pride weekend, she will also host a free art show:Rene Vinson Fine Art ShowKindle Event Space, 511 N Tejon StreetJune 12th from 5 to 9 p.m.One night only, free admissionYou cand find more details on Vinson's work at reneevinson.com.Email Senior Reporter Meghan Glova at [email protected] Meghan Glova KOAA on Facebook.____Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching. ...read more read less